Thank God its Good Friday!!!
Am gonna lap it up @ Santa Barbara :-)
Wednesday, April 08, 2009
Sunday, April 05, 2009
Sicko - the sickening state of US healthcare
This is one movie that I will recommend every US citizen and especially every non-US guy who is planning to come to the US to watch - so they know what they are getting into...
It is not so much about how 50 million people in the US do not have health insurance and hence do not get any medical care or treatment.. as it is about how the 250 million people that have health insurance might still end up being bankrupt and in turn, be denied health care - because the privately run insurance companies and hospitals look to maximise their profits.. and hence, they will continue to look for reasons and justifications to deny you the right to medical care and can deny or retract your claim!!
And as it turns out.. I had one such experience of it myself... though, thankfully, not anywhere near the scale as highlighted in the movie..
I got treated for knee pain while I was training to run a marathon and had multiple physiotherapy sessions... And since I am an employee of one of the large corporations, my insurance has to cater to the power (read, numbers) of the corporation and covered all my bills (except for the co-pay, that I had to shell out from my pocket).. Everything was smooth.. or so I thought until one fine day, when I got a bill from the hospital saying I owed them some money. Not much, $135, that my insurance company asked the hospital to refund (it had earlier paid to the hospital). So, the hospital billed me for $135, saying I need to pay for it now.
When I called up, neither the hospital nor the insurance had any clue why suddenly the insurance provider asked the hospital for the refund. After a couple of weeks of investigation, the insurance provider found out and informed me (and the hospital) that the hospital had used a wrong code in billing and that is why this $135 was asked to be refunded and is now outstanding. So, now if the hospital can reissue the bill with the correct code, everything will be fine. To this day, and it has been almost a month now, the hospital still records that I owe them the money.. and I do not know if they care to reissue the bill.. but they sent me a second notice/reminder of due.
But, my episode is so minuscule in scale to what can happen to one if they end up with cancer/heart attack or something.. and the insurance company can deny payment due to some unrelated yet legally arguable reason for not paying up. All they (insurance companies and hospitals) care about is maximizing their own profit and any money they can deny is money saved for them..
One of the folks shown was denied permission/coverage for treatment for cervical cancer.. 'cos, in the words of the insurance company, "you are too young to contract ...cervical cancer"... Or contract rescue workers - firefighters who helped in the rescue efforts during 9/11 were denied insurance (to cover their acute respiratory problems ostensibly suffered from the exposure to all that dust and rubble).. because they were only temporary employees... These are just the tip of the iceberg.. watch Sicko to see the enormity of the healthcare debacle...
That is why for-profit is bad in healthcare..
That is why greed is going to kill another 10,000 uninsured this week... and the following... and the week after....
That is why I will not settle in this country as long as greed prevails...
Did I tell ya I don't gamble with my life.. or anyone else's... ?!
Its no country for old men, dude..
Sicko by Michael Moore is available on the Internet, DVD and TV showtime!
I should add that there has been some positive developments on this issue off-late with the push for single-payer healthcare and legislation to support universal healthcare... But, it is still not a reality.. And what is more shocking is the time it is taking US to implement something that is very crucial to the lives of so many people...
It is not so much about how 50 million people in the US do not have health insurance and hence do not get any medical care or treatment.. as it is about how the 250 million people that have health insurance might still end up being bankrupt and in turn, be denied health care - because the privately run insurance companies and hospitals look to maximise their profits.. and hence, they will continue to look for reasons and justifications to deny you the right to medical care and can deny or retract your claim!!
And as it turns out.. I had one such experience of it myself... though, thankfully, not anywhere near the scale as highlighted in the movie..
I got treated for knee pain while I was training to run a marathon and had multiple physiotherapy sessions... And since I am an employee of one of the large corporations, my insurance has to cater to the power (read, numbers) of the corporation and covered all my bills (except for the co-pay, that I had to shell out from my pocket).. Everything was smooth.. or so I thought until one fine day, when I got a bill from the hospital saying I owed them some money. Not much, $135, that my insurance company asked the hospital to refund (it had earlier paid to the hospital). So, the hospital billed me for $135, saying I need to pay for it now.
When I called up, neither the hospital nor the insurance had any clue why suddenly the insurance provider asked the hospital for the refund. After a couple of weeks of investigation, the insurance provider found out and informed me (and the hospital) that the hospital had used a wrong code in billing and that is why this $135 was asked to be refunded and is now outstanding. So, now if the hospital can reissue the bill with the correct code, everything will be fine. To this day, and it has been almost a month now, the hospital still records that I owe them the money.. and I do not know if they care to reissue the bill.. but they sent me a second notice/reminder of due.
But, my episode is so minuscule in scale to what can happen to one if they end up with cancer/heart attack or something.. and the insurance company can deny payment due to some unrelated yet legally arguable reason for not paying up. All they (insurance companies and hospitals) care about is maximizing their own profit and any money they can deny is money saved for them..
One of the folks shown was denied permission/coverage for treatment for cervical cancer.. 'cos, in the words of the insurance company, "you are too young to contract ...cervical cancer"... Or contract rescue workers - firefighters who helped in the rescue efforts during 9/11 were denied insurance (to cover their acute respiratory problems ostensibly suffered from the exposure to all that dust and rubble).. because they were only temporary employees... These are just the tip of the iceberg.. watch Sicko to see the enormity of the healthcare debacle...
That is why for-profit is bad in healthcare..
That is why greed is going to kill another 10,000 uninsured this week... and the following... and the week after....
That is why I will not settle in this country as long as greed prevails...
Did I tell ya I don't gamble with my life.. or anyone else's... ?!
Its no country for old men, dude..
Sicko by Michael Moore is available on the Internet, DVD and TV showtime!
I should add that there has been some positive developments on this issue off-late with the push for single-payer healthcare and legislation to support universal healthcare... But, it is still not a reality.. And what is more shocking is the time it is taking US to implement something that is very crucial to the lives of so many people...
Sunday, March 29, 2009
Electric Boogie @ Club Earth!!
It is heartening to know that we do care for our dear Earth.. And all is not lost for our future generations..
Earth Hour - Mar 28 2009, 8.30pm to 9.30pm
"The world said yes to climate action, now governments must follow," the World Wildlife Fund (WWF) said Sunday, a day after hundreds of millions of people worldwide followed its call to turn off lights for a full hour.
For environmental activists, the message was clear: Earth Hour was a huge success.
From an Antarctic research base and the Great Pyramids of Egypt, from the Colosseum in Rome to the Empire State building in New York, illuminated patches of the globe went dark Saturday night to highlight the threat of climate change. Time zone by time zone, nearly 4,000 cities and towns in 88 countries dimmed nonessential lights from 8:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m.
WWF called the event, which began in Australia in 2007 and grew last year to 400 cities worldwide, "the world's first-ever global vote about the future of our planet."
The United Nations' top climate official, Yvo de Boer, called the event a clear sign that the world wants negotiators seeking a climate change agreement to set an ambitious course to fight global warming.
...
For the full report, check here!
These three combo photos show Malaysia's landmark Petronas Twin Towers, right, along with other buildings being turned off the lights to mark Earth Hour in downtown Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
A combination photo of a night view of the site of the ancient Giza Pyramids before and after switching off the lights for the Earth Hour, in Cairo, Egypt.
The Eiffel Tower is shown just after the 20,000 bulbs illuminating the tower went out Saturday, March 28, 2009 at 8.90 p.m for five minutes.
The skyline of Toronto's downtown is dimmed as many of the lights are turned off for Earth Hour on Saturday, March 28, 2009
Watch this video..!!
Earth Hour - Mar 28 2009, 8.30pm to 9.30pm
"The world said yes to climate action, now governments must follow," the World Wildlife Fund (WWF) said Sunday, a day after hundreds of millions of people worldwide followed its call to turn off lights for a full hour.
For environmental activists, the message was clear: Earth Hour was a huge success.
From an Antarctic research base and the Great Pyramids of Egypt, from the Colosseum in Rome to the Empire State building in New York, illuminated patches of the globe went dark Saturday night to highlight the threat of climate change. Time zone by time zone, nearly 4,000 cities and towns in 88 countries dimmed nonessential lights from 8:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m.
WWF called the event, which began in Australia in 2007 and grew last year to 400 cities worldwide, "the world's first-ever global vote about the future of our planet."
The United Nations' top climate official, Yvo de Boer, called the event a clear sign that the world wants negotiators seeking a climate change agreement to set an ambitious course to fight global warming.
...
For the full report, check here!
These three combo photos show Malaysia's landmark Petronas Twin Towers, right, along with other buildings being turned off the lights to mark Earth Hour in downtown Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
A combination photo of a night view of the site of the ancient Giza Pyramids before and after switching off the lights for the Earth Hour, in Cairo, Egypt.
The Eiffel Tower is shown just after the 20,000 bulbs illuminating the tower went out Saturday, March 28, 2009 at 8.90 p.m for five minutes.
The skyline of Toronto's downtown is dimmed as many of the lights are turned off for Earth Hour on Saturday, March 28, 2009
Watch this video..!!
Wednesday, March 25, 2009
What time is it?
It is the time to move on.. !
----------------------
Have been staying at this place in Sunnyvale for an year now.. Nice big 2BR apartment sharing with this friend of mine... But now, I guess it is time to move on to the next level in life... Staying alone!
Looking for nice cozy studios in calm swanky neighborhoods...
Well.. of course, staying alone gives a whole lot of opportunities... to ponder and explore and all the good stuff...;-) And I can get serious about owning a pet rabbit now!
BTW, got my parting gift too... a parking ticket.. within my apt complex..!
----------------------
honey bunch and shonu and
and butter cup and sweetie pie
seems a lifetime.. but now
time to say good bye!!
PS: did ya notice the two consecutive 'and's?!
----------------------
Have been staying at this place in Sunnyvale for an year now.. Nice big 2BR apartment sharing with this friend of mine... But now, I guess it is time to move on to the next level in life... Staying alone!
Looking for nice cozy studios in calm swanky neighborhoods...
Well.. of course, staying alone gives a whole lot of opportunities... to ponder and explore and all the good stuff...;-) And I can get serious about owning a pet rabbit now!
BTW, got my parting gift too... a parking ticket.. within my apt complex..!
----------------------
honey bunch and shonu and
and butter cup and sweetie pie
seems a lifetime.. but now
time to say good bye!!
PS: did ya notice the two consecutive 'and's?!
Friday, March 20, 2009
Wednesday, March 18, 2009
Two Too Much!!
I came across these two articles in the news today... And I wanted to celebrate the irony!!
Why the Pope opposes condoms
{The Pope said the "cruel epidemic" [AIDS] should be tackled through fidelity and abstinence rather than condoms, and that "the traditional teaching of the Church has proven to be the only failsafe way to prevent the spread of HIV/Aids". }
{He told African bishops that contraception was among trends leading to a breakdown in sexual morality.}
U.S. births set record; 40% are out of wedlock
{- Increases in unmarried childbearing, termed at “historic levels” in the report: The total number of births, birth rate, and proportion of births to unmarried women all increased 3 percent to 5 percent.}
{In the 1990s when teen birth rates began declining, Santelli says “fewer kids were having sex, having fewer partners and there was an enormous increase in condom use.”}
Both are two different contexts - one, in the fight against AIDS in Africa and another, about child births in the US.
But, clearly, fidelity and abstinence does NOT seem to be too popular in the US!!
And does the Pope imply that infidelity and promiscuous behaviour is prevalent only in Africa??
And the sad part is that the message from the pope seems to be blaming the guys with AIDS instead of giving hope to the afflicted. (Who said that all the folks with AIDS in Africa got it only thru sex and with illegitimate partners??)
For ye have sinned... now, come to Jesus and he will absolve all your sins... but AIDS, we will not take that away... Because it should serve as an example for others.. Only then will they be afraid.. and turn to God... and I can give more such speeches...
Disclaimer: I am an atheist and I am especially against any religion that uses an epidemic to further itself!
Why the Pope opposes condoms
{The Pope said the "cruel epidemic" [AIDS] should be tackled through fidelity and abstinence rather than condoms, and that "the traditional teaching of the Church has proven to be the only failsafe way to prevent the spread of HIV/Aids". }
{He told African bishops that contraception was among trends leading to a breakdown in sexual morality.}
U.S. births set record; 40% are out of wedlock
{- Increases in unmarried childbearing, termed at “historic levels” in the report: The total number of births, birth rate, and proportion of births to unmarried women all increased 3 percent to 5 percent.}
{In the 1990s when teen birth rates began declining, Santelli says “fewer kids were having sex, having fewer partners and there was an enormous increase in condom use.”}
Both are two different contexts - one, in the fight against AIDS in Africa and another, about child births in the US.
But, clearly, fidelity and abstinence does NOT seem to be too popular in the US!!
And does the Pope imply that infidelity and promiscuous behaviour is prevalent only in Africa??
And the sad part is that the message from the pope seems to be blaming the guys with AIDS instead of giving hope to the afflicted. (Who said that all the folks with AIDS in Africa got it only thru sex and with illegitimate partners??)
For ye have sinned... now, come to Jesus and he will absolve all your sins... but AIDS, we will not take that away... Because it should serve as an example for others.. Only then will they be afraid.. and turn to God... and I can give more such speeches...
Disclaimer: I am an atheist and I am especially against any religion that uses an epidemic to further itself!
Friday, March 13, 2009
Thursday, March 12, 2009
Give it to the Kids!!
Your vote (and those of your friends) could win Pratham $60,000 this year! JP Morgan is donating the money to the charity that wins the most votes in its Give-It-Away campaign. Read India is one of the 10 nominees and currently has a small lead over the competition. Voting ends on May 1, 2009. From what I can understand, voting is open only to university students (though recent graduates might be able to vote as well). To vote, click on jpmorgan.com/giveitaway.
Anything you can do to spread the word (emails to friends, facebook etc) and get out the vote would be much appreciated!
About Pratham and Read India:
100 million children in India - one out of every two - cannot read. Pratham, India's leading non-profit in primary education, aims to dramatically improve literacy levels among children across India through the Read India campaign. The campaign has already reached 21 million children in its first year.
For more information, please visit
http://www.readindia.org/
www.prathamusa.org
Join our Facebook group: Pratham (USA)
Anything you can do to spread the word (emails to friends, facebook etc) and get out the vote would be much appreciated!
About Pratham and Read India:
100 million children in India - one out of every two - cannot read. Pratham, India's leading non-profit in primary education, aims to dramatically improve literacy levels among children across India through the Read India campaign. The campaign has already reached 21 million children in its first year.
For more information, please visit
http://www.readindia.org/
www.prathamusa.org
Join our Facebook group: Pratham (USA)
Saturday, March 07, 2009
Into the Wild
The USP of this movie is that it is based on a real story.. story of a guy who lived in Alaska on his own.. in the wilderness for about 110 days ... and died in the wild tragically - alone and untimely, at the age of 24.
But then, in the relatively short span of life, he had experienced what others did not.. do not.. or even imagine. And lived life on his own terms.
Christopher McCandless grew up a rebel - against what he perceived as materialistic, manipulative and domineering parents. And then embarks on a wonderful journey... after he graduates from Emory University, he gives away all his savings to charity.. He burns and erases his identity - social security card, driver license, all his credit cards... and travels across the country - Atlanta to Colorado and then, kayaks down the colorado river into Mexico and then comes back on freight trains and hitchhiking to Los Angeles.. and finally he reaches Alaska.
He takes up a new identity along the way - Alexander Supertramp.. meets some unique set of people.. And finally in Alaska, he spends some quality alone-time and without any artificial trapments of consumerism. Well.. he lives in an abandoned bus (used by moose hunters in summer) and uses a gun to hunt... but his needs are to the bare minimum... a shelter.. some warmth.. food - small game or fish cooked in the fire, raw plant edible plants etc... some books (that provide him the inspiration, as also the guide to local vegetation.. and his notebook - where he notes down his experiences and learnings...
But, soon the ice melts and the full-blown river restricts his movement... and he eats a poisonous plant (there are various theories) by mistake.. That leads to nausea, weakness, loss of digestive powers and eventually his death due to starvation... The last few days are tragic - he is alone, helpless and slowly treading to his death.. thats when he feels the need for company.
I think he missed most the need to share his happiness and all his unique experiences with someone.. as if all those things in him (acquired and unique) are going to waste with his death... Like a legacy lost.
This movie is a *Must Watch* - but only when you are ready for it. I took my own time, guess about two months since the time I added it to my watchlist on Netflix..
I do not want to live such a life in the wild.. And definitely not the way he did it - without adequate planning, preparation and supplies (I would call it stupid - setting up for disaster in an unforgiving place)... but I sure would like to visit Denali National Park, Alaska sometime.. preferably with another person... not just any other person.. or many... you know what I mean?
It seems the bus can be seen clearly on Google Earth even to this day but is obscured by clouds in Google Maps and most other mapping programs. I did not try it.. but I found this on one of the links on the wiki..
But then, in the relatively short span of life, he had experienced what others did not.. do not.. or even imagine. And lived life on his own terms.
Christopher McCandless grew up a rebel - against what he perceived as materialistic, manipulative and domineering parents. And then embarks on a wonderful journey... after he graduates from Emory University, he gives away all his savings to charity.. He burns and erases his identity - social security card, driver license, all his credit cards... and travels across the country - Atlanta to Colorado and then, kayaks down the colorado river into Mexico and then comes back on freight trains and hitchhiking to Los Angeles.. and finally he reaches Alaska.
He takes up a new identity along the way - Alexander Supertramp.. meets some unique set of people.. And finally in Alaska, he spends some quality alone-time and without any artificial trapments of consumerism. Well.. he lives in an abandoned bus (used by moose hunters in summer) and uses a gun to hunt... but his needs are to the bare minimum... a shelter.. some warmth.. food - small game or fish cooked in the fire, raw plant edible plants etc... some books (that provide him the inspiration, as also the guide to local vegetation.. and his notebook - where he notes down his experiences and learnings...
But, soon the ice melts and the full-blown river restricts his movement... and he eats a poisonous plant (there are various theories) by mistake.. That leads to nausea, weakness, loss of digestive powers and eventually his death due to starvation... The last few days are tragic - he is alone, helpless and slowly treading to his death.. thats when he feels the need for company.
I think he missed most the need to share his happiness and all his unique experiences with someone.. as if all those things in him (acquired and unique) are going to waste with his death... Like a legacy lost.
This movie is a *Must Watch* - but only when you are ready for it. I took my own time, guess about two months since the time I added it to my watchlist on Netflix..
I do not want to live such a life in the wild.. And definitely not the way he did it - without adequate planning, preparation and supplies (I would call it stupid - setting up for disaster in an unforgiving place)... but I sure would like to visit Denali National Park, Alaska sometime.. preferably with another person... not just any other person.. or many... you know what I mean?
It seems the bus can be seen clearly on Google Earth even to this day but is obscured by clouds in Google Maps and most other mapping programs. I did not try it.. but I found this on one of the links on the wiki..
Wednesday, March 04, 2009
Sweet Dreams..!
Like this song.. love the lyrics..!!
---------------------------------------
Sweet dreams are made of this
Who am I to disagree?
Travel the world and the seven seas
Everybody's looking for something
Some of them want to use you
Some of them want to get used by you
Some of them want to abuse you
Some of them want to be abused
Sweet dreams are made of this
Who am I to disagree?
Travel the world and the seven seas
Everybody's looking for something
Some of them want to use you
Some of them want to get used by you
Some of them want to abuse you
Some of them want to be abused
I wanna use you and abuse you
I wanna know what's inside you
(Whispering) Hold your head up, movin' on
Keep your head up, movin' on
Hold your head up, movin' on
Keep your head up, movin' on
Hold your head up, movin' on
Keep your head up, movin' on
Movin' on!
Sweet dreams are made of this
Who am I to disagree?
Travel the world and the seven seas
Everybody's looking for something
Some of them want to use you
Some of them want to get used by you
Some of them want to abuse you
Some of them want to be abused
I'm gonna use you and abuse you
I'm gonna know what's inside
Gonna use you and abuse you
I'm gonna know what's inside you
---------------------------------------
Sweet dreams are made of this
Who am I to disagree?
Travel the world and the seven seas
Everybody's looking for something
Some of them want to use you
Some of them want to get used by you
Some of them want to abuse you
Some of them want to be abused
Sweet dreams are made of this
Who am I to disagree?
Travel the world and the seven seas
Everybody's looking for something
Some of them want to use you
Some of them want to get used by you
Some of them want to abuse you
Some of them want to be abused
I wanna use you and abuse you
I wanna know what's inside you
(Whispering) Hold your head up, movin' on
Keep your head up, movin' on
Hold your head up, movin' on
Keep your head up, movin' on
Hold your head up, movin' on
Keep your head up, movin' on
Movin' on!
Sweet dreams are made of this
Who am I to disagree?
Travel the world and the seven seas
Everybody's looking for something
Some of them want to use you
Some of them want to get used by you
Some of them want to abuse you
Some of them want to be abused
I'm gonna use you and abuse you
I'm gonna know what's inside
Gonna use you and abuse you
I'm gonna know what's inside you
Thriller - ala Indian Michael Jackson!
This is roll-on-the-floor stuff...!! Pay close attention to the audio visual cues...:-)
Wednesday, February 25, 2009
Sunday, February 22, 2009
OSCARS 2009..
This post summarizes my "live"r updates on Twitter...http://twitter.com/sbhaskar77
Freida Pinto is looking great in blue... Natalie Portman is gorgeous... Anne Hathaway serene!!
The show has just begun.. it seems the year of slumdogs all the way...... and this just the beginning of the show... way to go.
I dont remember if I watched the event last year... but this year there seems a lot more personal touch at the show probably in tune with the need of the hour... with everyone needing a good hug and a warm shoulder.
First oscar of 2009... best actress in a suppporting role.... Penelope Cruz!! ...for vicky christina barcelona..
Oscars for screenplay: original - Milk, Adapted - Slumdog Millionaire!!!
Best Animated Movie - Wall-E
Art Direction - Duchess
Makeup - Curious case of Benjamin Button
Cinematography - Slumdog again..!!!
Best actor in a supporting role - Heath Ledger in the Dark Knight
Smile Pinki - Best short documentary film... Is also based in India... Its about treating children with cleft upper lips.. watch it. I just watched the trailer in the Ad break.
Visual effects - Curious case of Benjamin Button
Sound editing - Dark Knight
Sound Mixing - Slumdog again again !!
Editing - Slumdog again again again !!!!
Wow!! the count is four now... slumdog.. four of five...you are five questions away from becoming a millionaire ;-)
This is something I have to mention... I see Danny Boyle whenever one of the guys (from Slumdog) are called out.. and he is so genuinely happy 4 them..
The 81st Academy Award continues...
Original score - AR Rahman - Slumdog Milionaire...
At the end of his acceptance speech he said, as he does.. "Ellapughazum Iraivanukkae"... All praise for the Lord!!
BTW, that is also the title of one of ARR's songs that I love..
That was a good performance... of the songs - O Sayya and Jai Ho and one from Wall-E.... and the academy award for the best song goes to..... AR Rahman for Jai Ho.... Wow!!!! I am super thrilled!!!!! Thank God for ARR.
Liam Neeson and Feida Pinto on the stage to present the award for the Best Foreign Language Film - The award goes to Departures (Japanese).
Best Directing - Danny Boyle!!!!! "Finally, to all the folks in Mumbai who helped make this movie and who didnt.. You dwarf even this guy (The Oscar award)" says Danny.. I love this guy.. Love you Danny!!!
Best actress in a leading role - Kate Winslet for Reader...you guys if you are not watching this.. catch the video on youtube or something - gotta watch all this real drama... Really!
Best actor in a leading role - Sean Penn for Milk.. I gotta watch this movie
Best Picture - among Benjamin Button, Frost/Nixon, Milk, Reader and Slumdog - Slumdog Millionaire. The entire team of Slumdog are on the stage... this is great!!
Thats eight Academy Awards for Slumdog Millionaire... Bravo!!! it is a whole lot of awards and recognition... well deserved... have fun guys, everyone!!!
Freida Pinto is looking great in blue... Natalie Portman is gorgeous... Anne Hathaway serene!!
The show has just begun.. it seems the year of slumdogs all the way...... and this just the beginning of the show... way to go.
I dont remember if I watched the event last year... but this year there seems a lot more personal touch at the show probably in tune with the need of the hour... with everyone needing a good hug and a warm shoulder.
First oscar of 2009... best actress in a suppporting role.... Penelope Cruz!! ...for vicky christina barcelona..
Oscars for screenplay: original - Milk, Adapted - Slumdog Millionaire!!!
Best Animated Movie - Wall-E
Art Direction - Duchess
Makeup - Curious case of Benjamin Button
Cinematography - Slumdog again..!!!
Best actor in a supporting role - Heath Ledger in the Dark Knight
Smile Pinki - Best short documentary film... Is also based in India... Its about treating children with cleft upper lips.. watch it. I just watched the trailer in the Ad break.
Visual effects - Curious case of Benjamin Button
Sound editing - Dark Knight
Sound Mixing - Slumdog again again !!
Editing - Slumdog again again again !!!!
Wow!! the count is four now... slumdog.. four of five...you are five questions away from becoming a millionaire ;-)
This is something I have to mention... I see Danny Boyle whenever one of the guys (from Slumdog) are called out.. and he is so genuinely happy 4 them..
The 81st Academy Award continues...
Original score - AR Rahman - Slumdog Milionaire...
At the end of his acceptance speech he said, as he does.. "Ellapughazum Iraivanukkae"... All praise for the Lord!!
BTW, that is also the title of one of ARR's songs that I love..
That was a good performance... of the songs - O Sayya and Jai Ho and one from Wall-E.... and the academy award for the best song goes to..... AR Rahman for Jai Ho.... Wow!!!! I am super thrilled!!!!! Thank God for ARR.
Liam Neeson and Feida Pinto on the stage to present the award for the Best Foreign Language Film - The award goes to Departures (Japanese).
Best Directing - Danny Boyle!!!!! "Finally, to all the folks in Mumbai who helped make this movie and who didnt.. You dwarf even this guy (The Oscar award)" says Danny.. I love this guy.. Love you Danny!!!
Best actress in a leading role - Kate Winslet for Reader...you guys if you are not watching this.. catch the video on youtube or something - gotta watch all this real drama... Really!
Best actor in a leading role - Sean Penn for Milk.. I gotta watch this movie
Best Picture - among Benjamin Button, Frost/Nixon, Milk, Reader and Slumdog - Slumdog Millionaire. The entire team of Slumdog are on the stage... this is great!!
Thats eight Academy Awards for Slumdog Millionaire... Bravo!!! it is a whole lot of awards and recognition... well deserved... have fun guys, everyone!!!
Friday, February 20, 2009
Thursday, February 19, 2009
Till Death Do Us...
I don't believe in V day... I never imagined I will find a true love on the same day!
On a lonely mountain top, down the soft fluffy snow starting our journey together...
On a lonely mountain top, down the soft fluffy snow starting our journey together...
Monday, February 09, 2009
Howiwish I was in Bangalore for V-Day...
What can be more fun than a bunch of bloggers and some head-banging musik?? Well, of course.. a head-banging bunch of bloggers... ;-)
It's the first heavy metal blogger meet - and it comes a day before Iron Maiden rocks Bangalore.
When?
Somewhere in time (or)
22, Acacia Avenue (or)
On the seventh day of the seventh year (or)
Saturday, 14th February 2009 at 4:00 PM
Where?
Purgatory (or)
Sanctuary (or)
Mother Russia (or)
Stones Pub, Indira Nagar, Bangalore
What’s the plan?
Run to the hills (or)
Remember Tomorrow (or)
Die with our boots on (or)
Have a few beers, listen to some Maiden, and talk about blogging!
If you are an indiblogger:
RSVP at the official meet page, where you will find a link at the top-right to confirm your attendance:
http://www.indiblogger.in/bloggermeet.php?id=24
It's the first heavy metal blogger meet - and it comes a day before Iron Maiden rocks Bangalore.
When?
Somewhere in time (or)
22, Acacia Avenue (or)
On the seventh day of the seventh year (or)
Saturday, 14th February 2009 at 4:00 PM
Where?
Purgatory (or)
Sanctuary (or)
Mother Russia (or)
Stones Pub, Indira Nagar, Bangalore
What’s the plan?
Run to the hills (or)
Remember Tomorrow (or)
Die with our boots on (or)
Have a few beers, listen to some Maiden, and talk about blogging!
If you are an indiblogger:
RSVP at the official meet page, where you will find a link at the top-right to confirm your attendance:
http://www.indiblogger.in/bloggermeet.php?id=24
Tuesday, January 27, 2009
Tolerance is our middle name
Saw the movie slumdog millionaire two days ago.... lovely movie... will watch it again in the theatre soon.
I guess I have not seen many a movie that depicts poverty as the background.. I have seen 'city of god' and that has ghetto in the background.. but not many others. And especially not many Indian movies - I can recall a couple of Kamal's (tamil) movies that had the poverty portrayed eloquently - varumaiyin niram sivappu, some aspects in mahanadi, nayagan... but they are only a handful.
Well, that's OK... movies are primarily a means of escape from reality for all of us at most times. But, I say - don't criticize movies like slumdog saying they are a foreigner's view of India.
Poverty is as much an aspect of India as its elephants, cows on the road, palaces, BPOs - call centers, music, sandalwood, etc. I think India is a land of contrasts - much more than any other place in the world. I need another post to talk about this, but let me stick to my original topic here...
Depicting poverty as the shade of India is OK - 'cos there are 100s of movies that are an escape from reality, with its song and dance, with its own style and panache.
Depicting poverty as the shade of India is welcome - 'cos I think we Indians have become insensitive to it. Our tolerance for poverty and the inequalities we see around us has increased so much that we are numb to it. Tolerance is our middle name. O.K. are our initials.
According to wiki, "41.6% of its population is living below the new international poverty line of $1.25 (PPP) per day" and "The World Bank further estimates that a third of the global poor now reside in India"
It seems worse than what I expected - goes to say how much I actually knew about India. Check this wiki to know the facts.
There seems to be some encouraging news, though not enough...
"{Despite this,} India currently adds 40 million people to its middle class every year. Analysts such as the founder of "Forecasting International", Marvin J. Cetron writes that an estimated 300 million Indians now belong to the middle class; one-third of them have emerged from poverty in the last ten years. At the current rate of growth, a majority of Indians will be middle-class by 2025. Literacy rates have risen from 52 percent to 65 percent in the same period."
It also says this as one of the cultural reasons for poverty -
"The caste system, under which hundreds of millions of Indians were kept away from educational, ownership, and employment opportunities, and subjected to violence for "getting out of line." British rulers encouraged caste privileges and customs, at least before the 20th century."
But that is another blog-material altogether...
PS: If you want to see how India compares with the world, check this
Some samples..
I guess I have not seen many a movie that depicts poverty as the background.. I have seen 'city of god' and that has ghetto in the background.. but not many others. And especially not many Indian movies - I can recall a couple of Kamal's (tamil) movies that had the poverty portrayed eloquently - varumaiyin niram sivappu, some aspects in mahanadi, nayagan... but they are only a handful.
Well, that's OK... movies are primarily a means of escape from reality for all of us at most times. But, I say - don't criticize movies like slumdog saying they are a foreigner's view of India.
Poverty is as much an aspect of India as its elephants, cows on the road, palaces, BPOs - call centers, music, sandalwood, etc. I think India is a land of contrasts - much more than any other place in the world. I need another post to talk about this, but let me stick to my original topic here...
Depicting poverty as the shade of India is OK - 'cos there are 100s of movies that are an escape from reality, with its song and dance, with its own style and panache.
Depicting poverty as the shade of India is welcome - 'cos I think we Indians have become insensitive to it. Our tolerance for poverty and the inequalities we see around us has increased so much that we are numb to it. Tolerance is our middle name. O.K. are our initials.
According to wiki, "41.6% of its population is living below the new international poverty line of $1.25 (PPP) per day" and "The World Bank further estimates that a third of the global poor now reside in India"
It seems worse than what I expected - goes to say how much I actually knew about India. Check this wiki to know the facts.
There seems to be some encouraging news, though not enough...
"{Despite this,} India currently adds 40 million people to its middle class every year. Analysts such as the founder of "Forecasting International", Marvin J. Cetron writes that an estimated 300 million Indians now belong to the middle class; one-third of them have emerged from poverty in the last ten years. At the current rate of growth, a majority of Indians will be middle-class by 2025. Literacy rates have risen from 52 percent to 65 percent in the same period."
It also says this as one of the cultural reasons for poverty -
"The caste system, under which hundreds of millions of Indians were kept away from educational, ownership, and employment opportunities, and subjected to violence for "getting out of line." British rulers encouraged caste privileges and customs, at least before the 20th century."
But that is another blog-material altogether...
PS: If you want to see how India compares with the world, check this
Some samples..
Tuesday, January 20, 2009
Recession not bad....
Today marked an historic day... as the people around the world have marked. The 44th president of US, Barack Hussein Obama, has taken over the office of the President of United States of America.
He seems to be heading in the general right direction.. he has his priorities right and his head square on his shoulders. Everyone is looking to him to lead the US and the world into another golden era.
But, you know - at the overall level, recession may not be all that bad. Well, except for the folks that are below the middle class and/or have been out of job for a while.
Having a person like Obama at the head, hopefully will give us the strength and guidance to take a hard look at our consumerist ways and wasteful ways of the spending cycle.
Here is something I had blogged out some months ago.
The Story of Stuff by Annie Leonard
It is a time to remind ourselves on some truths about our way of living and the destructive cycle of consumption.
Hope things get better - and not just temporarily.
He seems to be heading in the general right direction.. he has his priorities right and his head square on his shoulders. Everyone is looking to him to lead the US and the world into another golden era.
But, you know - at the overall level, recession may not be all that bad. Well, except for the folks that are below the middle class and/or have been out of job for a while.
Having a person like Obama at the head, hopefully will give us the strength and guidance to take a hard look at our consumerist ways and wasteful ways of the spending cycle.
Here is something I had blogged out some months ago.
The Story of Stuff by Annie Leonard
It is a time to remind ourselves on some truths about our way of living and the destructive cycle of consumption.
Hope things get better - and not just temporarily.
Saturday, January 17, 2009
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
Eternal Life!
Javeda Zindagi I love this song from the movie, Anwar... just melts my heart every time I hear it. (Courtesy: musicmania from ...
